A2 Nouns & Articles 21 min read Easy

Both, Either, and Neither: The Rule of Two

Master both, either, and neither to confidently talk about exactly two options or items.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use these words only when talking about exactly two things to show addition, choice, or total rejection.

  • Use `both` for two out of two (A + B). Example: 'I like both shirts.'
  • Use `either` for one out of two (A or B). Example: 'Either day is fine.'
  • Use `neither` for zero out of two (Not A and Not B). Example: 'Neither car works.'
2️⃣ + (Both/Either/Neither) = Perfect English

Overview

Use both, either, and neither for two people or things.

Only use these words for two things. They are for pairs.

Learn this to speak English well.

These words make your sentences short. They replace long phrases.

How This Grammar Works

These words show how two things connect. They are different.
  • Both: This word signifies total inclusion, meaning "the first and the second." It combines two entities into a single collective unit, asserting that a particular characteristic, action, or state applies to both members of the pair. Because both intrinsically refers to a plural concept (two distinct items), it consistently pairs with a plural verb when it acts as the subject of a sentence. This plural agreement reflects the combined nature of the subjects.
  • Both my brothers are engineers. (Brother 1 is an engineer, and Brother 2 is an engineer.)
  • We both enjoy reading. (I enjoy reading, and you enjoy reading.)
  • Both solutions seem promising. (Solution A seems promising, and Solution B seems promising.)
  • Either: This term indicates choice or possibility between two options, conveying "the first or the second." It emphasizes the individuality of each option, suggesting that only one of the two alternatives is relevant, sufficient, or acceptable. The key here is the idea of selection from a pair. When either functions as the subject, it typically takes a singular verb. This is because either conceptually focuses on one choice at a time, even though two options are presented. You consider them individually, not as a combined unit.
  • You can choose either path. (Path A or Path B is a valid option.)
  • Either answer is acceptable. (One of the two answers is individually correct.)
  • Please bring either document. (Bringing Document A or Document B is acceptable.)
  • Neither: This word denotes total exclusion or negation, meaning "not the first and not the second." It confirms that neither of the two presented options is true, applicable, or chosen. Like either, when neither acts as the subject of a sentence, it consistently takes a singular verb. The grammatical logic is similar: neither refers to the absence of each individual option. It highlights a singular lack for each item in the pair, rather than a plural state.
  • Neither student passed the test. (Student A did not pass, and Student B did not pass.)
  • Neither door leads to the exit. (Door 1 does not, and Door 2 does not.)
  • She understood neither instruction. (Instruction A was not understood, and Instruction B was not understood.)
Use both for two. Use either for one. Use neither for zero.
| Word | Meaning | How to use it |
| :-------- | :------------------------------------------ | :-------------------------- | :------------------------- |
| Both | This one and that one | Use with 'are/do' |
| Either | This one or that one | Use with 'is/does' |
| Neither | Not this and not that | Use with 'is/does' |

Formation Pattern

1
You can use these words in many ways.
2
1. Put them before words for things:
3
Use these words before names to show how many.
4
Use both for two things. It means this and that.
5
Rule: Both + (the/my) + two things.
6
Both children are playing.
7
Both my parents enjoy gardening.
8
Both the windows were open.
9
Use either for one thing. It means this or that.
10
Rule: Either + one thing.
11
You can use either hand to write.
12
Either road leads to the beach.
13
Use neither for one thing. It means no things.
14
Rule: Neither + one thing.
15
Not one of the two answers is right.
16
Neither key fits the lock.
17
Use 'of' before words like 'us', 'them', or 'the things'.
18
Rule: Both/Either/Neither + of + them/the things.
19
Both of them are ready.
20
Either of the options works for me.
21
Neither of my colleagues could help.
22
2. Use the words alone:
23
Use the word alone if we know the two things.
24
Both means two things together. It works like 'they'.
25
Are your parents home? Yes, both are.
26
I have two books. Both are excellent.
27
Either means this one or that one. You pick one.
28
Which color do you prefer, red or blue? Either is fine.
29
He had two ideas. Any choice was hard work.
30
Neither means not this one and not that one.
31
Do you speak French or German? Neither, unfortunately.
32
She asked if I wanted coffee or tea, but neither sounded appealing.
33
3. Using word pairs to join things.
34
Use these words together. Both parts must be the same.
35
Use 'both' and 'and'. It means this one plus that one.
36
Formula: Both + X + and + Y (where X and Y are parallel)
37
She is smart and she is nice.
38
He goes to school and he works.
39
I like old music and I like jazz.
40
Use 'either' and 'or'. You can only have one.
41
Formula: Either + X + or + Y (where X and Y are parallel)
42
You can call me. Or you can email me.
43
My brother or my sister will come get you.
44
Neither and nor means 'no' for both things.
45
Formula: Neither + X + nor + Y (where X and Y are parallel)
46
He does not speak French or German.
47
They did not say yes or no.
48
4. As Adverbs:
49
Put 'either' at the end to say 'no' too.
50
I don't like coffee. My friend doesn't, either.
51
She can't swim, and I can't, either.
52
Put 'neither' at the start to say 'no' too.
53
I didn't finish the report. Neither did I.
54
He won't be there. Neither will she.
55
| How to use | Both | Either | Neither |
56
| :--------------------- | :----------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------ |
57
| With names | Both [two things] | Either [one thing] | Neither [one thing] |
58
| Using 'of' | Both of them | Either of them | Neither of them |
59
| Action words | Use with two | Use with one | Use with one |
60
| Joining words | Both X and Y | Either X or Y | Neither X nor Y |
61
| Saying 'me too' | (N/A) | Not me, either. | Neither do I. |

Gender & Agreement

These words do not change for men or women.
Watch the action words. They must match the person.
  • Both: When both acts as the subject, or is part of a compound subject connected by both...and..., the verb is always plural. This is intuitive because both inherently refers to two things together, forming a plural subject.
  • Both are here. (The plural verb are agrees with both.)
  • Both of the students live nearby. (The plural verb live agrees with both of the students.)
  • Both John and Mary study hard. (The plural verb study agrees with the compound subject Both John and Mary.)
  • Either and Neither: When either or neither act as the subject (either alone as a pronoun, or as a determiner modifying a singular noun), the verb is always singular. This might seem counter-intuitive because they refer to two items. The grammatical reasoning is that you are considering one of the two options (for either) or zero of the two options (for neither). Each option is treated individually in the mind of the speaker, leading to singular verb agreement.
  • Either is fine. (The singular verb is agrees with either.)
  • Neither was present. (The singular verb was agrees with neither.)
  • Either option looks appealing. (The singular verb looks agrees with either option.)
  • Neither answer seems plausible. (The singular verb seems agrees with neither answer.)
  • Correlative Conjunctions (either...or... and neither...nor...): When these structures connect two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb. This is known as the rule of proximity.
  • Either my parents or my brother is coming. (The singular verb is agrees with my brother, which is singular and closer.)
  • Neither the students nor the teacher was ready. (The singular verb was agrees with the teacher, which is singular and closer.)
  • Either the teacher or the students are ready. (The plural verb are agrees with the students, which is plural and closer.)
  • Neither my brother nor my parents are coming. (The plural verb are agrees with my parents, which is plural and closer.)
Look at the word closest to the action word.

When To Use It

Use these for two things. They make your meaning clear.
  • Use both when...
  • You want to emphasize that two items share a characteristic or action. You are asserting a shared quality.
  • Both my hands are cold. (My left hand is cold, and my right hand is cold.)
  • You want to include two distinct things in a statement. This makes a positive assertion about the pair.
  • She likes both tea and coffee.
  • You need to refer to two people or things as a pair, often emphasizing their collective action.
  • They both decided to leave early.
  • Use either when...
  • You want to offer a choice between two distinct options. You are indicating that one option, or the other, is acceptable.
  • You can sit on either side of the table. (The left side or the right side.)
  • You mean "one or the other" is acceptable or true. This presents alternatives.
  • Either answer is acceptable for full marks.
  • You are agreeing with a negative statement someone else made, using it adverbially at the end of a sentence. This acts as a negative "too."
  • I don't want to go. She doesn't want to go, either.
  • Use neither when...
  • You want to state that zero of two options are true or applicable. You are explicitly excluding both possibilities.
  • Neither option is appealing. (The first option isn't appealing, and the second option isn't appealing.)
  • You want to exclude both items from a statement. This makes a negative assertion about the pair.
  • Neither John nor Sarah passed the test.
  • You are expressing agreement with a negative statement someone else made, using it adverbially at the beginning of a sentence with inversion. This acts as a negative "also."
  • I haven't eaten all day. Neither have I.
Both means two. Either is a choice. Neither is zero.

Common Mistakes

Students make mistakes. Study these to speak better English.
  1. 1Confusing with any/none for more than two: This is perhaps the most common error. Remember the rule of two: these words strictly apply to pairs. When referring to three or more items, different quantifiers are needed.
  • Incorrect: There are three options. Neither is good.
  • Correct: There are three options. None is good. (Use none for three or more items when all are negative.)
  • Incorrect: There are four books. You can take either.
  • Correct: There are four books. You can take any. (Use any for three or more choices.)
People use these for three things. That is a mistake.
  1. 1Incorrect Verb Agreement: This is a persistent challenge, especially with either and neither as subjects. The error stems from an intuitive but incorrect assumption that because two items are mentioned, the verb must be plural.
  • Incorrect: Either of the books are interesting.
  • Correct: Either of the books is interesting. (The subject is Either, which is singular, focusing on one choice at a time.)
  • Incorrect: Neither of my friends like the movie.
  • Correct: Neither of my friends likes the movie. (The subject is Neither, which is singular, focusing on the individual absence for each friend.)
  • Incorrect: Neither John nor his brothers wants to come.
  • Correct: Neither John nor his brothers want to come. (Here, the rule of proximity applies: the verb want agrees with his brothers, which is plural and closest to the verb.)
  1. 1Lack of Parallelism in Correlative Conjunctions: The grammatical structure after the first part of the conjunction (both, either, neither) must precisely match the structure after the second part (and, or, nor). This error disrupts the sentence's balance and clarity.
  • Incorrect: She is both smart and likes to read. (Adjective + Verb Phrase is not parallel.)
  • Correct: She is both smart and well-read. (Adjective + Adjective) OR She both studies hard and reads widely. (Verb Phrase + Verb Phrase)
Match your words. Use the same style in your sentence.
  1. 1Using neither with another negative: Neither already contains a negative meaning (not one and not the other). Using another negative creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English. This error often arises from translating directly from languages that permit double negatives.
  • Incorrect: Neither of them didn't come.
  • Correct: Neither of them came. (The negative meaning is already present in neither.)
  • Incorrect: I don't like neither option.
  • Correct: I don't like either option. (Use either in a sentence that already contains a negative word like don't.)
  1. 1Misplacing of: Remember to use of when both, either, or neither are followed by pronouns or definite plural noun phrases. Omitting of creates an ungrammatical phrase.
  • Incorrect: Both them are happy.
  • Correct: Both of them are happy.
  • Incorrect: Neither the students were prepared.
  • Correct: Neither of the students was prepared.
Use 'of' to talk about a part of a group.
Use for two things. Use 'is'. Avoid two 'no' words.

Common Collocations

Some words go together. This helps you sound natural.
  • With both:
  • both sides: Both sides of the argument have valid points. (Referring to two opposing viewpoints).
  • both ways: You can't have it both ways; you have to choose. (An idiom meaning you cannot enjoy two conflicting benefits at once).
  • both A and B: He is both a doctor and a musician. (Connecting two roles or qualities).
  • both of us/them/you: Both of us agreed to the plan. (Referring to specific people).
  • to want both: I want both the cake and the ice cream. (Expressing desire for two things).
  • With either:
  • either way: It doesn't matter which path we take, either way, we'll get there. (Indicating that any of two options will lead to the same result).
  • either A or B: You can either call me or send an email. (Presenting two distinct options for action).
  • either side: Please sit on either side of the table. (Referring to one of two possible positions).
  • either option: Either option is acceptable. (Highlighting choice between two specific alternatives).
  • not...either: I don't like Mondays, and my friend doesn't, either. (Used at the end of a negative statement for agreement).
  • With neither:
  • neither A nor B: Neither rain nor snow stopped the delivery. (Excluding two things simultaneously).
  • neither of them: Neither of them knew the answer. (Stating that zero members of a pair possess a quality or knowledge).
  • neither here nor there: (Idiom) Your opinion is neither here nor there; it's irrelevant. (Meaning something is not important or relevant to the current discussion).
  • neither one: Which one do you prefer? Neither one. (Expressing preference for zero of two options).
  • Neither do I / Neither can I: I can't speak French. Neither can I. (Agreeing with a negative statement using inversion).
Learn these word pairs. They help you speak better English.

Real Conversations

Observing how both, either, and neither appear in everyday interactions demonstrates their practical utility and subtle nuances. These examples reflect modern usage, from casual chat to more formal exchanges, and help bridge the gap between grammatical rules and authentic communication.

S

Scenario 1

Choosing a Movie (Text Message)

- Friend 1: "Movie night? Got 'Avengers' or 'Spider-Man'."

- Friend 2: "Hmm, I've seen both twice. How about something else?"

S

Scenario 2

Work Project Update (Email)

- Colleague A: "Project X and Project Y are due next week. Which one should I prioritize?"

- Colleague B: "Either is fine. Both are critical, so just pick one to start."

S

Scenario 3

Discussing Travel Plans (Casual Chat)

- Person A: "Are you flying direct or taking a layover?"

- Person B: "Actually, neither. We decided to drive. Flying was too expensive, and the layover was too long."

S

Scenario 4

Preferences (Social Media Comment)

- User 1: "Coffee or tea for this gloomy morning?"

- User 2: "For me, both! Can't start without either one." (A slightly humorous, emphatic usage)

S

Scenario 5

Feedback (Meeting)

- Manager: "John, your proposals are always insightful. For the new marketing campaign, did you consider Option A or B?"

- John: "I explored both. I found that neither fully met our objectives, so I've drafted a third one."

These examples illustrate how these words enable concise and precise expression in various social contexts. They are integral to natural English conversation and demonstrate how even at an A2 level, you can convey complex binary relationships with confidence.

Quick FAQ

Here are simple answers to common questions.
  • Can I use both, either, or neither for more than two things?
Use these for two things. Use 'all' or 'none' for more.
  • Is either always singular, and both always plural?
Use 'are' for both. Use 'is' for either and neither.
Look at the word next to the action word.
  • Why is it neither of them is and not neither of them are?
Neither means not the first and not the second.
So, we use the word 'is' here.
  • Can neither be used with not?
Neither is already 'no'. Do not add 'not' to it.
Say 'I like neither'. Do not say 'I don't like neither'.
  • What's the difference between either as a conjunction and either as an adverb?
Either means a choice. It also means 'also not'.
  • Do both...and... always need a plural verb?
Both means two people. Always use 'are' with it.
  • Is there a difference in formality when using these words?
These words are good for work and for friends.

2. Negative Equivalents

Structure Equivalent Negative Example
Neither...
Not... either
I like neither. / I don't like either.
Neither of...
Not... either of
Neither of them came. / They didn't either of them come (Rare).

Determiner and Pronoun Structures

Word Noun Type Verb Agreement Example
Both
Plural Noun
Plural
Both cars are fast.
Both of
the/my + Plural
Plural
Both of my cars are fast.
Either
Singular Noun
Singular
Either car is fine.
Either of
the/my + Plural
Singular (Formal)
Either of the cars is fine.
Neither
Singular Noun
Singular
Neither car is fast.
Neither of
the/my + Plural
Singular (Formal)
Neither of the cars is fast.

Meanings

These words are used to refer to two people or things. They help clarify if you mean the whole pair, one of the pair, or none of the pair.

1

Inclusion (Both)

Refers to two things together; the whole pair.

“Both restaurants are very expensive.”

“I have two brothers; both are older than me.”

2

Choice (Either)

Refers to one or the other of two things; it doesn't matter which.

“You can take either bus; they both go to the center.”

“Either candidate would be a good choice.”

3

Exclusion (Neither)

Refers to not one and not the other of two things.

“Neither key opened the door.”

“Neither of my parents speaks English.”

4

Correlative Pairs

Using 'both...and', 'either...or', and 'neither...nor' to connect two parts of a sentence.

“Both the cat and the dog are sleeping.”

“Either you stay or I leave.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Both, Either, and Neither: The Rule of Two
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Both)
Both + Noun + And + Noun
Both Sarah and Tom are here.
Choice (Either)
Either + Noun + Or + Noun
Either Sarah or Tom is here.
Negative (Neither)
Neither + Noun + Nor + Noun
Neither Sarah nor Tom is here.
Pronoun (Both)
Both of + Pronoun
Both of them are here.
Pronoun (Either)
Either of + Pronoun
Either of them is fine.
Pronoun (Neither)
Neither of + Pronoun
Neither of them is here.
Short Answer
Me neither / Me either
A: I don't like it. B: Me neither.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Neither option is acceptable to me.

Neither option is acceptable to me. (Declining two suggestions)

Neutral
I don't like either of them.

I don't like either of them. (Declining two suggestions)

Informal
Neither for me, thanks.

Neither for me, thanks. (Declining two suggestions)

Slang
Nah, neither's any good.

Nah, neither's any good. (Declining two suggestions)

The Rule of Two Map

The Pair (2)

Both

  • A + B Inclusion

Either

  • A or B Choice

Neither

  • Not A + Not B Exclusion

Both vs. Either vs. Neither

Both
Two checkmarks Yes to both
Either
One checkmark One or the other
Neither
Two X marks No to both

Which one should I use?

1

Are there exactly 2 things?

YES
Go to next question
NO
Use All/Any/None
2

Do you want both of them?

YES
Use 'Both'
NO
Go to next question
3

Do you want one or the other?

YES
Use 'Either'
NO
Use 'Neither'

Grammar Match

🔗

Conjunctions

  • • Both...and
  • • Either...or
  • • Neither...nor
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Examples by Level

1

I like both dogs.

2

Either is fine.

3

Neither of them is here.

4

Both my hands are cold.

1

Neither of the movies was interesting.

2

You can have either tea or coffee.

3

Both of my parents are teachers.

4

I don't like either of these shirts.

1

Neither the manager nor the assistant was available.

2

Both the price and the quality are important.

3

Either you finish your homework or you can't go out.

4

I've lived in both London and New York.

1

Neither of the proposed solutions seems viable at this stage.

2

The results were both surprising and disappointing.

3

Either the battery is dead or the motor is broken.

4

I found neither of the books particularly helpful.

1

Neither did she acknowledge her mistake, nor did she apologize.

2

The policy was both ambitious in scope and rigorous in execution.

3

It was a situation where either choice would lead to disaster.

4

Neither of the witnesses could provide a definitive identification.

1

The duality of the soul is a concept that is both ancient and enduring.

2

Neither the inherent complexity of the task nor the looming deadline deterred him.

3

One might argue that either interpretation is equally valid given the text's ambiguity.

4

The treaty was neither a total success nor an absolute failure, but a pragmatic compromise.

Easily Confused

Both, Either, and Neither: The Rule of Two vs Neither vs. None

Learners use 'neither' for groups of three or more.

Both, Either, and Neither: The Rule of Two vs Either vs. Any

Learners use 'either' when there are many options.

Both, Either, and Neither: The Rule of Two vs Both vs. All

Learners use 'all' for pairs.

Common Mistakes

✗

I have three brothers, both are tall.

✓

I have three brothers, all are tall.

Both is only for 2 people.
✗

I don't want neither.

✓

I want neither / I don't want either.

Double negative: 'neither' is already negative.
✗

Both of book are good.

✓

Both books are good.

Both must be followed by a plural noun.
✗

Either of the book is fine.

✓

Either of the books is fine.

After 'of', you need a plural noun.
✗

Neither of my parents are here.

✓

Neither of my parents is here.

In formal English, 'neither' takes a singular verb.
✗

Either you come or nor I go.

✓

Either you come or I go.

Either pairs with 'or', not 'nor'.
✗

I like both of them shirts.

✓

I like both of those shirts.

Use 'those/these/the' after 'both of'.
✗

Neither the teacher nor the students is happy.

✓

Neither the teacher nor the students are happy.

The verb agrees with the closest subject (students).
✗

Neither he spoke nor he moved.

✓

Neither did he speak nor did he move.

Formal inversion is required when 'neither' starts a clause.

Sentence Patterns

Both ___ and ___ are ___.

Neither of the ___ is ___.

You can either ___ or ___.

Neither ___ nor ___ ___.

Real World Usage

Ordering Food very common

I'll have both the soup and the salad, please.

Job Interviews common

I am comfortable working both independently and in a team.

Texting Friends constant

Either time works for me! See ya.

Tech Support occasional

Neither the mouse nor the keyboard is responding.

Travel/Booking common

Neither of those flights has a window seat available.

Shopping very common

Both of these dresses are on sale.

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💡

The 'Of' Rule

Always use 'of' if you have a pronoun (them, us, you) or a determiner (the, my, these) after 'both', 'either', or 'neither'.
⚠️

Double Negatives

Never use 'neither' with 'not'. 'I don't like neither' is a common mistake. Say 'I like neither' or 'I don't like either'.
🎯

Verb Agreement

In formal writing, treat 'either' and 'neither' as singular. 'Neither of the boys IS here' sounds more professional than 'ARE here'.
💬

Polite Indecision

Use 'Either is fine' when you want to be helpful and let the other person choose. It's a great social lubricant.

Smart Tips

Always check if you can use 'either' instead of 'any' to sound more precise.

You can have any of these two drinks. → You can have either of these two drinks.

Stick to the singular verb for 'neither of' and 'either of'.

Neither of the reports are ready. → Neither of the reports is ready.

Use 'neither' for negative agreement and 'too' for affirmative agreement.

I don't like it too. → I don't like it either. / Me neither.

Remember that 'both of' requires 'the', 'my', 'these', etc., but 'both' alone does not.

Both of books are good. → Both books are good. / Both of the books are good.

Pronunciation

/ˈiːðər/ (EE-ther) or /ˈaɪðər/ (EYE-ther)

The 'Either' Split

There are two correct ways to say 'either' and 'neither'. One starts with an 'EE' sound, the other with an 'EYE' sound.

Choice Intonation

Either tea ↗ or coffee ↘?

Rising intonation on the first option, falling on the second to show a complete list of choices.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

BEN: Both (Every one), Either (Either one), Neither (No one).

Visual Association

Imagine a fork in the road with two paths. Both = you take both (impossible but helpful!), Either = you pick one, Neither = you turn around and go home.

Rhyme

Both is two, Either is one, Neither is zero and then we are done!

Story

Two friends, Ben and Jerry, went to a shop. Both wanted ice cream. Either chocolate or vanilla was fine for Ben. But Jerry had no money, so neither flavor was possible for him.

Word Web

PairCoupleDualChoiceOptionAlternativeBinary

Challenge

Look at two objects on your desk. Say one sentence using 'both', one using 'either', and one using 'neither' about them.

Cultural Notes

In the UK, 'EYE-ther' is slightly more common in formal settings, while 'EE-ther' is very common in the US, though both are used in both places.

Saying 'Either is fine' is a very common way to be polite in English-speaking cultures, as it shows you are flexible and easy to please.

In legal documents, 'neither...nor' is used strictly to ensure there is no ambiguity about exclusions.

From Old English 'ba' (both) and 'ægther' (either).

Conversation Starters

“

Do you prefer tea or coffee?

“

Which of these two cities would you rather visit: Tokyo or Paris?

“

Have you ever had a situation where neither of your choices was good?

“

In your opinion, is it better to have both a high salary and no free time, or a low salary and lots of free time?

Journal Prompts

Write about two friends you have. Use 'both' to describe what they have in common and 'neither' to describe what they don't do.
Describe a difficult choice you had to make between two options. Use 'either...or'.
Compare two restaurants in your town. Use 'both...and' and 'neither...nor'.
Argue for or against the idea that 'either you are with us, or you are against us'.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence. Multiple Choice

I have two sisters. ___ of them are doctors.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both
We use 'both' for 2 people when the statement is affirmative.
Fill in the blank with 'either' or 'neither'.

I don't like ___ of these two paintings.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: either
Since the sentence already has 'don't' (negative), we must use 'either'.
Correct the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Neither of the cars are working.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Neither of the cars is working.
In formal English, 'neither of' takes a singular verb.
Match the start of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-and, 2-or, 3-nor
These are the standard correlative conjunction pairs.
Rewrite the sentence using 'Neither'. Sentence Transformation

Tom isn't here and Sarah isn't here.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Neither Tom nor Sarah is here.
'Neither...nor' combines two negative subjects into one affirmative-looking sentence.
Select the correct verb form. Multiple Choice

Either the students or the teacher ___ responsible.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is
The verb agrees with the closest subject ('the teacher'), which is singular.
Complete the sentence.

You can have ___ the red one or the blue one, but not both.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: either
'Either...or' is used for a choice between two.
Which sentence is correct for 3 people? Multiple Choice

I have three friends...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: None of them are here.
'Neither' and 'both' are only for 2 people.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence. Multiple Choice

I have two sisters. ___ of them are doctors.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both
We use 'both' for 2 people when the statement is affirmative.
Fill in the blank with 'either' or 'neither'.

I don't like ___ of these two paintings.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: either
Since the sentence already has 'don't' (negative), we must use 'either'.
Correct the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Neither of the cars are working.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Neither of the cars is working.
In formal English, 'neither of' takes a singular verb.
Match the start of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

1. Both... 2. Either... 3. Neither...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-and, 2-or, 3-nor
These are the standard correlative conjunction pairs.
Rewrite the sentence using 'Neither'. Sentence Transformation

Tom isn't here and Sarah isn't here.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Neither Tom nor Sarah is here.
'Neither...nor' combines two negative subjects into one affirmative-looking sentence.
Select the correct verb form. Multiple Choice

Either the students or the teacher ___ responsible.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is
The verb agrees with the closest subject ('the teacher'), which is singular.
Complete the sentence.

You can have ___ the red one or the blue one, but not both.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: either
'Either...or' is used for a choice between two.
Which sentence is correct for 3 people? Multiple Choice

I have three friends...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: None of them are here.
'Neither' and 'both' are only for 2 people.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

13 exercises
Choose the correct word. Fill in the Blank

You can take ___ the bus or the train to get there.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: either
Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

She can speak neither English or Spanish.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She can speak neither English nor Spanish.
Which sentence is grammatically correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both of them are coming to the party.
Translate into English. Translation

Translate: 'Ambos coches son rojos.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Both cars are red."]
Put the words in order to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Neither I nor he can swim
Match the beginning of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

Match the sentence parts:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Complete the sentence with the best option. Fill in the Blank

I have two sisters, and ___ of them live in London.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: both
Identify and correct the mistake. Error Correction

Either of the two solutions are viable.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Either of the two solutions is viable.
Select the sentence with the correct usage. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Neither of the proposals was accepted.
Translate into English. Translation

Translate: '¿Quieres té o café? Cualquiera de los dos está bien.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Do you want tea or coffee? Either is fine.","Do you want tea or coffee? Either one is fine."]
Unscramble the words to form a coherent sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I like both apples and bananas
Fill in the blank with the appropriate word. Fill in the Blank

We visited two museums, and ___ of them had interesting exhibits.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: both
Correct the error in the following sentence. Error Correction

Neither my friends or my brother are coming to the concert.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Neither my friends nor my brother is coming to the concert.

Score: /13

FAQ (8)

No, `both` is strictly for two things. For three or more, use `all`.

In formal writing, use `is` (singular). In casual conversation, `are` (plural) is very common and accepted.

Use `either` for a choice between 2 things. Use `any` for a choice between 3 or more things.

Yes! For example: `Neither of us wanted to go.` Just remember not to use a negative verb like `didn't` with it.

Both `EE-ther` and `EYE-ther` are correct. Pick one and be consistent, or use whichever sounds more natural in the moment!

It is a short way to agree with a negative statement. If someone says 'I don't like spinach,' you say `Me neither`.

Use `nor` only when you have already used `neither` earlier in the sentence (e.g., `Neither A nor B`).

No. You can say `both books` or `both of the books`. However, with pronouns, you MUST use 'of': `both of them`.

Scaffolded Practice

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4

Mastery Progress

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

ambos / tampoco / o...o

Spanish doesn't have a single word that functions exactly like the determiner 'neither' in 'Neither book is good'.

French moderate

les deux / l'un ou l'autre / ni...ni

French requires 'ne' with 'ni...ni', whereas English 'neither' is used with an affirmative verb.

German high

beide / entweder...oder / weder...noch

German 'beide' can sometimes be used where English would prefer 'the two'.

Japanese low

両方 (ryouhou) / どちらか (dochira ka)

Japanese grammar doesn't distinguish as strictly between 2 and 3+ in its basic quantifiers.

Arabic partial

كلاهما (kilahuma)

The dual form is built into the nouns and verbs themselves in Arabic.

Chinese low

两个都 (liǎng gè dōu)

Chinese lacks specific binary-only words like 'either' and 'neither'.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Every, Each, All: Talking about groups

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